VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: July 12, 2022

Bangladesh
BGB, BSF exchange Eid greetings at Panchbibi border in Joypurhat- The Daily Star

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel today exchanged greetings with India’s Border Security Force (BSF) personnel with sweets at Hatkhola border in Panchbibi of Joypurhat on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha. Click here to read…

Without land, Bangladesh’s Manta people live — and die — on boats- Arab News

More than 30 million people around the world had to relocate within their home countries due to natural disasters in 2020, nearly 4.5 million of them in BangladeshClick here to read…

Millions left destitute in northeastern Bangladesh three weeks after floods- Down to Earth

Flood victims lacking basic essentials such as rice, fuel, cooking utensils; forced to live on roads. Click here to read…

Opinion: Will Bangladesh’s garment industry find new markets in Asia as West could restrict access?- Daiji World

At present about 80 per cent of exports of RMGs are directed to the US and European countries. But with rapidly changing geopolitical dynamics, many in the industry have voiced their opinion for establishing new markets at the earliest. Click here to read…

Rising violence in Bangladesh’s hills worries Christians- UCA News

Unrest in Chittagong Hill Tracts is blamed on a turf war between ethnic groups and long-running communal tensions. Click here to read…

Bhutan
Bhutan mourns the death of former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe- Kuensel

His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen offered 1,000 butter lamps in memory of the former Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, at the Kuenrey of Trashichhodzong on July 9 morning. Click here to read…

NPL drops to Nu 17.56B in March- Kuensel

The non-performing loans (NPL) in the financial sector saw a drop of 29 percent in March this year from the same month last year. Click here to read…

GoI makes special trade concessions for Bhutan- Nepali Times

The Government of India (GoI) has made a special exemption for Bhutan by lifting the restriction on imports of potatoes only from Bhutan, for another year with effect from 04 July until June next year, thereby alleviating the difficulties faced by Bhutanese traders in exporting potatoes to India.
Click here to read…

US donates 33,600 doses of Pfizer’s pediatric Covid vaccine to Bhutan- Business Standard

The US government on Sunday delivered 33,600 doses of Pfizer’s pediatric COVID-19 vaccine to Bhutan. Click here to read…

Maldives
Maldives Covid-19 case tally exceeds 183,000 – Raajje

As such, between July 3 – July 9, 192 cases were reported from the congested capital, Greater Malé Area, 304 from residential islands outside of the capital and 275 Covid-19 cases were reported from others including industrial islands, liveaboard vessels and resorts. Click here to read…

Deputy FM meets Maldives Foreign Minister

On behalf of the Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan, the Deputy Foreign Minister, Eng. Waleed Al Khereiji met on Monday here the President of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly and the Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid. Click here to read…

Myanmar
Mizoram: Two MDF rebels held in Siaha near Myanmar border – NE Now

In another breakthrough, troopers of Assam Rifles have apprehended two cadres of a Myanmar based Maraland Defence Force (MDF) with ammunition in south Mizoram’s Siaha district near the Myanmar border, Assam Rifles said in a statement. Click here to read…

Observers say inclusive dialogue unlikely in Myanmar without added pressure on junta – RFA

Myanmar’s junta is unlikely to sign off on an all-inclusive dialogue to resolve the country’s political crisis unless additional pressure is applied, observers said Monday, following calls by both the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China to allow all stakeholders to the negotiating table. Click here to read…

Myanmar Junta Chief Perpetuates Predecessors’ Superstitious Obsession With Rubies – The Irrawaddy

Successive military dictators since the previous military regime the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) have one thing in common—being superstitious and thick-headed. Click here to read…

Communities defy bombs to keep schools running in Myanmar – The New Humanitarian

The New Humanitarian spoke with educators and students in three areas of the country where ethnic revolutionary organisations and so-called “people’s administration teams” are running education systems in the midst of war, serving tens of thousands of students. Click here to read…

Tightened security checks reported in Arakan State – BNI Online

The Myanmar military has been tightening security checks on locals and travellers in some Arakan State townships since June, according to residents. The military arrested at least 50 locals in Sittwe, Kyauktaw, Ponnagyun and Mrauk-U townships last month after the Arakan Army detained 14 junta soldiers and police personnel. Click here to read…

Chinese Foreign Minister Snubs Myanmar Junta Chief – The Irrawaddy

It must be embarrassing for Myanmar regime chief Min Aung Hlaing when the top diplomat from the foreign country he relies upon most declines to pay him a visit—particularly if the diplomat is already in Myanmar. Click here to read…

Nepal
Nepal’s retail inflation hits near six-year high in June- Himalayan Times

Nepal’s annual retail inflation accelerated to 8.56% for the month ending mid-June, central bank data showed on Monday, pushed by a spurt in food and fuel costs amid pressure on the country’s currency. Click here to read…

Bill giving victims more time to report rape passed- Himalayan Times

The House of Representatives today unanimously passed the Bill to Amend Some Acts against Sexual Violence, extending statute of limitation in rape cases. Click here to read…

HoR passes Nepal Police-Province Police coordination bill for Kathmandu Valley’s security- Himalayan Times

The House of Representatives (HoR) has passed the ‘Nepal Police and Province Police (Work Operation, Supervision and Coordination) First Amendment Bill, 2022. Click here to read…

Inflation close to double-digit mark- Kathmandu Post

Central bank report shows year-on-year inflation hit 8.56 percent in the first 11 months of this fiscal year. Click here to read…

Deuba under fire— from a section of Congress, and opposition- Kathmandu Post

UML charges prime minister with failing in governance. Congress group questions party president’s performance. Click here to read…

Unified Socialist Chairman Nepal directs cadres to build organization- Republica

Chairman of the CPN (Unified Socialist) Madhav Kumar Nepal has directed cadres to build party organization by reaching every village. Click here to read…

Pakistan
In Lodhran power show, Imran urges supporters to defeat ‘turncoats, nexus of ECP and PML-N’: Dawn

Former prime minister Imran Khan on Monday urged his workers and supporters to defeat the “turncoats” as well as the “nexus” of the Election Commission of Pakistan and the PML-N by voting for his party in the upcoming by-polls in Lodhran. Click here to read…

Like Sri Lanka, two ruling families taking Pakistan towards crisis: Imran: The Express Tribune

Former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan has expressed fear that Pakistan is heading towards a similar situation to that of Sri Lanka due to the dynastic rule of two families – Sharif and Zardari. Click here to read…

Severe urban flooding in Karachi after record heavy downpour: The Express Tribune

The southern areas of Karachi, including DHA, Clifton, Kemari, Saddar and other localities reportedly received the highest amount of rainfall after a slow-moving thunderstorm stalled over the city during early morning hours. Click here to read…

‘Biggest relief package’ to be announced by PM Shehbaz, reveals Maryam Nawaz: The News

Announcing “good news” for the nation, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz Monday said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will soon unveil the “biggest relief package” for the people of Pakistan. Click here to read…

Sri Lanka
Immigration officers withdraw from Silk Route operations at BIA- Daily Mirror

The Sri Lanka Immigration and Emigration Officers’ Association (SLIEOA) has decided to withdraw from functioning at the Silk Route Passenger Clearance Terminal at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) from this morning until further notice. Click here to read…

UAE’s flydubai suspends operations to Sri Lanka- Daily Mirror

United Arab Emirates carrier flydubai has suspended operations to Colombo in Sri Lanka until further notice, a spokesperson for the budget airline said on Monday. Click here to read…

Parliament to elect new President on July 20: Speaker- Daily Mirror

Party leaders have decided to elect a new President on July 20 through a vote in Parliament in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardhane said today. Click here to read…

Basil’s exit from country foiled after protests by passengers- Daily Mirror

An attempt by former Minister Basil Rajapaksa to leave the country through the Silk Route Passenger Clearance Terminal was foiled due to airport immigration officials refusing to let him leave the country following the protests by passengers. Click here to read…

Adani power projects delayed- The Island

Two renewable energy projects by India’s Adani Group to generate 500 MW at a cost of USD 500 million will be further delayed due to conflicts of interest here, a senior official saidClick here to read…

US envoy calls for democratic transition of power- The Island

US Ambassador in Colombo Julie Chung has called on all political parties to ensure democratic transition of power. Click here to read…

Sonia Gandhi urges international community to support Sri Lanka- The Island

Indian National Congress President Sonia Gandhi has urged the international community to extend all support and assistance to Sri Lanka.In a statement she said that the Indian National Congress has been following with concern the evolving political situation in Sri Lanka.Click here to read…